President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated President John Mahama of Ghana on his victory in weekend's presidential elections.

In a statement by presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, Jonathan said Mahama's success in securing his people's mandate for a full term in office was an endorsement by the Ghanaian electorate of his leadership and his party's action plan for further socio-economic development.

"While calling on the victorious candidate and political party to extend a hand of partnership to the opposition, in the spirit of reconciliation and national progress, he enjoins all political leaders in Ghana to join hands with the government to collectively deepen democracy in the country in the overriding interest of continued peace, political stability and progress in their country," he said.

Also yesterday, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and Nigerian Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, described the peaceful conduct of Ghana's election as a victory for democracy in West Africa.

Ekweremadu, in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, commended the people of Ghana for again living up to their rating as beacons of democracy in the sub-region.